Nagaland in Manipur
Imphal August 29: In a significant move of seeking extension of the India Government-NSCN(I-M) ceasefire in Manipur, some Naga organisations have started a campaign of erasing the word 'Manipur' and replacing it with 'Nagaland' on almost all the signboards in the northern Senapati district of Manipur.

Earlier, the government representative in the district Mr. Kritibash Sharma, the Deputy Commissioner was sent home packing by suspected members of the Naga Youth Front a few days back and it is still not clear who is running the administration in the district.

Meanwhile, Mr Kritibash was terminated from service by the administration.

Reports say, a party came from Nagaland yesterday morning and started the campaign of replacing the word 'Manipur' with 'Nagaland'. State officials are tightlipped and no responsible officer was available for comment.
(August 29 : 10 PM)

Highway Protection Force within 1 month
Imphal August 29: In a landmark judgment, a division bench of the Gauhati High Court today directed the state government to implement the National Highway (Protection) scheme Phase-I within one month.

The first phase covers the 100 kilometre long stretch of the highway from Imphal to Mao on the National Highway No. 39, the Imphal-Dimapur road.

Announcing the judgment in open court, the division bench consisting of Justice J N Sharma and Justice B Lamhare said, it is the bounden duty of the state government to protect the highways within their respective territory.

The public interest litigation was filed by Babloo Loitongbam, Executive Director of Human Rights Alert and four others.

The court observed that, it is very easy to protect the said highway if the government has the will to do it. It further said, the state government should approach the army authorities for help in protecting the highway.

The judgment further directed the Registrar to send a copy of the judgment to the Nagaland government.
(August 29 : 10 PM)

UCM to meet Naga leaders
Imphal August 29: The United Committee Manipur today decided to meet Naga leaders to thrash out the contentious issues arising out of the extension of the GOI-NSCN(I-M) ceasefire on behalf of the people of Manipur.

A joint meeting of UCM and the representatives of different organisations, clubs, associations and Meira Paibis held here in Imphal today, authorised the United Committee to start negotiations with the frontline Naga groups.

While welcoming the temporary lifting of the economic blockade, the meeting aslo authorised the UCM to take up measures to deal with any future blockades.

Meanwhile, the economic blockade remains in force on the National Highway 53, the New Cachar Road and export of vegetables and forest produce from hill areas is still banned.

Yesterday, four trucks bringing in bamboo from Tamenglong district was stopped at Nungba and Noney. Today, a truck carying pan leaves was stopped on the way and later released when it was explained to them that the pan leaves came from Silchar.
(August 29 : 10 PM)


Two police commandos kidnapped
Imphal August 29: Two commandos of Manipur Police department were kidnapped alomgwith their service weapons by some armed gunmen last night from Mongsangei in Imphal West.

A massive manhunt has been launched in the valley to track down the militants, according to official reports.
(August 29 : 10 PM)